Apron and a method for fastening the same to a torso

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an apron and a method for fastening the same. The apron includes a body having opposed sides, one of which includes first and second spaced-apart tenons extending therefrom. Each of the first and second spaced-apart tenons have a length, with the length being of sufficient magnitude to wrap around the shoulder and attach to the body between the opposed sides. A first fastener couples the first tenon to the body, forming a first loop. A second fastener couples the second tenon to the body, forming a second loop. With this design, the distance between the first side and a neck is a function of a circumference of the first and second loops.

[0001] The present invention relates to an apron, and more particularly, to an apron suited to function as a bib.

[0002] Aprons, such as bibs, are commonly used on newborn babies and young children to shield the chest area, especially clothing (e.g., shirts, pajama tops, etc.) from food while eating. The process of learning to eat with fingers or utensils is messy and the baby tends to soil clothes with food.

[0003] Bibs are typically affixed fastened by fastening a pair of straps around the baby's neck. However, attaching the bib is often problematic, because parents typically seat the baby in highchair before donning the bib. As a result donning the bib often requires manipulating the baby's body which often results in bending the baby's neck and/or torso causing discomfort for both the baby and the parents.

[0004] A need exists, therefore, to provide an improved gown suitable for use as a baby bib.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides an apron and a method for fastening the same. The apron includes a body having opposed sides, one of which includes first and second spaced-apart tenons extending therefrom. Each of the first and second spaced-apart tenons have a length, with the length being of sufficient magnitude to wrap around the shoulder and attach to the body between the opposed sides. A first fastener couples the first tenon to the body, forming a first loop. A second fastener couples the second tenon to the body, forming a second loop. With this design, the distance between the first side and a neck is a function of a circumference of the first and second loops.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apron donned on a human torso in accordance with the present invention;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a simplified plan view of the apron shown in FIG. 1;

[0008]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apron shown in FIG. 2 with tenons fastened to the body in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the apron shown in FIG. 3 with tenons fastened to the body in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

[0010]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the apron shown in FIG. 2 having arcuate tenons in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an apron includes a body 12 having opposed sides 14 and 16. Side 14 includes first and second spaced-apart tenons 18 and 20 extending therefrom, terminating in a terminus 18 a and 20 a, respectively. Extending transverse to sides 14 and 16 are spaced apart edges 22 and 24. Body 12 is bounded by sides 14 and 16, as well as edges 22 and 24 and includes a first major surface 12 a and a second major surface 12 b disposed opposite to first major surface 12 a. First tenon 18 has a length, l₁, measured from side 14 to terminus 18 a. Second tenon has a length, l₂, measured from side 14 to terminus 20 a. Lengths, l₁ and l₂, are of sufficient magnitude to wrap around a shoulder 26 of a torso 28 to which apron 10 is donned. First tenon 18 is adapted to fasten to body 12, between sides 14 and 16, proximate to edge 22. Second tenon 20 is adapted to fasten to body 12, between sides 14 and 16, proximate to edge 24. A first fastening system 30 a and 32 a couples the first tenon 18 to body 12, forming a first loop 18 b. A second fastening system 30 b and 32 b couples the second tenon 20 to the body 12, forming a second loop 20 b. With this design, the distance, d, between side 14 and a neck 34 is a function of either a circumference of the first loop, C₁, a circumference of the second loop, C₂ or both.

[0012] First and second tenons 18 and 20 fasten to body using one of many techniques. In one example, a hook and loop system, including a hook portion 30 a and 30 b and a loop portion 32 a and 32 b and sold under the tradename VELCRO® may be employed to secure terminuses 18 a and 20 a to body 12. In the present example, hook portions 30 a and 30 b are shown attached to body 12 and loop portion 32 a is shown attached to terminus 18 a and loop portion 32 b is shown attached to terminus 20 a. However, loop portions 32 a and 32 b may be attached to body 12, with hook portion 30 a being attached to terminus 18 a and hook portion 30 b being attached to terminus 20 a. Further first fastening system 30 a and 32 a and second fastening system 30 b and 32 b may be couple terminuses 18 a and 20 a, respectively to first major surface 12 a. Alternatively, first fastening system 30 a and 32 a and second fastening system 30 b and 32 b may be couple terminuses 18 a and 20 a, respectively, to second major surface 12 b.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 4 another embodiment of fastening system includes slits 130 and 132 that are formed proximate to edges 122 and 124 through first and second major surfaces 112 a and 112 b. Tenon 118 fits into slit 130 forming an interference fit therewith, and tenon 120 fits into slit 132 forming interference fit therewith. In this fashion, apron 110 may be securely fastened. Other fastening techniques may include the use of a snap system or adhesives to attach tenons 118 and 120 to body 112.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 5 an alternate embodiment includes tenons 218 and 220 that have an arcuate shape to more easily fit about a shoulder. However, other variations may be made to the inventions as described above while remaining within the scope thereof. The scope of the invention should not be determined with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apron for donning to a human torso including a neck and shoulders, said apron comprising: a body having opposed sides, one of which include first and second spaced-apart tenons extending therefrom, with each of said first and second spaced-apart tenons having a length, with said length being of sufficient magnitude to wrap around said shoulder and attach to said body between said opposed sides; a first fastener to couple said first tenon to said body; and a second fastener to couple said second tenon to said body.
 2. The apron as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second fasteners include a hook and loop system.
 3. The apron as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second fasteners includes a snap system.
 4. The apron as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second fasteners include an adhesive material.
 5. The apron as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second fasteners includes first and second slits formed into said body extending between first and second major surfaces, with said first slit being positioned proximate to a first edge and said second slit being positioned proximate to a second edge.
 6. The apron as recited in claim 1 wherein said body has a central axis and said tenons extend from said first side parallel to said axis.
 7. The apron as recited in claim 1 wherein said tenons have an arcuate shape.
 8. The apron as recited in claim 1 wherein said body further includes said first and second opposed major surfaces extending between said opposed sides bounded by first and second opposed edges extending between said opposed sides, transversely thereto, with first tenon coupling to said first major surface proximate to said first edge and said second tenon coupling to said first major surface proximate to said second edge.
 9. The apron as recited in claim 8 wherein said first major surface faces said torso and said second major surface faces away from said torso.
 10. The apron as recited in claim 8 wherein said first major surface faces away from said torso and said second major surface faces said torso.
 11. An apron for donning to a human torso including a neck and shoulders, said apron comprising: a body having opposed sides, one of which include first and second spaced-apart tenons extending therefrom, with each of said first and second spaced-apart tenons having a length, with said length being of sufficient magnitude to wrap around said shoulder and attach to said body between said opposed sides, forming first and second loops; and means, connected to said body, for defining a distance between said first side and said neck as a function of a circumference of said first and second loops.
 12. The apron as recited in claim 11 wherein said means for defining includes first and second hook and loop systems, with said first hook and loop system being connected between said body and said first tenon and said second hook and loop system being connected between said body and said second tenon.
 13. The apron as recited in claim 11 wherein said means for defining includes first and second snap systems, with said first snap system being connected between said body and said first tenon and said second snap system being connected between said body and said second tenon.
 14. The apron as recited in claim 11 wherein said means for defining includes first and second adhesive systems, with said first adhesive system being connected between said body and said first tenon and said second adhesive system being connected between said body and said second tenon.
 15. The apron as recited in claim 11 wherein said means for defining includes first and second slits formed into said body and extending between said first and second major surfaces, with said first slit being positioned proximate to said first edge and said second slit being positioned proximate to said second edge.
 16. A method for donning, to a human torso having a neck and first and second shoulders and with an arm extending from each first and second shoulder, an apron having a body having first and second opposed sides, with said first side including first and second spaced-apart tenons extending therefrom, said method comprising: wrapping said first tenon around said first shoulder; coupling said first tenon to said body between said first and second sides, defining a first loop; wrapping said second tenon around said second shoulder; and coupling said second tenon to said body between said first and second sides, defining a second loop.
 17. The method as recited in claim 16 further including defining a distance between said first side and said neck as a function of a circumference of said first loop.
 18. The method as recited in claim 16 further including defining a distance between said first side and said neck as a function of a circumference of both said first and second loops.
 19. The method as recited in claim 16 wherein coupling said first tenon further includes forming a first slit in said body to extend between said first and second opposed major surfaces and inserting said first tenon into said slit forming an interference fit therewith and coupling said second tenon further includes forming a second slit in said body to extend between said first and second opposed major surfaces and inserting said second tenon into said slit forming an interference fit therewith.
 20. The method as recited in claim 16 wherein coupling said first tenon further includes adhering said first tenon to said body and coupling said second tenon further includes adhering said second tenon to said body.
 21. The method as recited in claim 16 wherein coupling said first tenon further includes placing said first tenon and said body in snapping engagement body and coupling said second tenon further includes placing said second tenon and said body in snapping engagement. 